Controlling attachment for cultivators



v Dec'. 14, 1926.

- 1,610,994 J. C. BLACK CbNTROLLING ATTACHMENT FOR CULTIVATOHS FiledJune 7, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 J.C. BLACK.

CONTROLLING 7 ATTACHMENT F612 CULTIVATORS Filed June 7 1924 2Sheets-Sheet 2 .L wfw w t Patented Deco id, 1925.

warren srarris JEWEL C. BLACK, OF ATHENS, ALABAMA.

CONTROLLING ATTACHMENT FOR GUL'IIVA'iOIEtS.

Application filed June 7,

This invention relates to cultivator attachments, and particularly to anattachment peculiarly designed for use with walking or ridingcultivators of certain types where in the beam of the cultivator isswiveled or mounted for lateral bodily movement.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an attachment wherebythe beam or the gang of Cultivators may be set in just a few seconds soas to run either to the right or left, that is so as to guide the gangor beam to the row or away from the row, whichever may be desired.

A further object is to provide means for regulating the depth of plowingso that the cultimtor may be set to plow either deep or shallow as maybe desired.

A still further object is to provide an attacnmcnt of this characterwhereby the gang or beam can be so set that it will be easy on theoperator to guide when he wishes to, the attachment relieving the armsand shoulders of the operator from fatigue "caused by holding the orbeam.

Another object is to provide means wheretension may be applied to largeor heavy gangs or beams and less tension for light or medium gangs orbeams so that when changing from heavy to light gangs the tension on thespring is changed at the time when the plows are changech and that whenchanging from plows to scratchers less tension may be placed on thescratcher.

Still another object is to provide an attachment of this character whichis very simple, may be readily applied to practically all makes ofwalking or riding cultivators or like machinery, and which will bethor-- oughly effective in practice.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawiiws, wherein ligure 1 is a plan view of a cultivator embodying a controllingattachment constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view there througii;

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the attachment Figure at is avertical sectional view through the attachment;

Figure 5 is a section taken -on the line 55 of Figure 4.

Referring to these drawings it will be seen that my attachment is formedin two main members or sections A and B. The

1924. Serial No. 713,60d.

body A is formed of an integral casting, this casting being formed withan early circular barrel 10. This barrel extends nearly the entirelength 'or' the casting and at its rear end the barrel is longitudinallyspilt or slotted, as at 11, the rear end of this slot being defined bythe two upwardly extending ears 12. Below the barrel the bodyrA isformed to provide a vertical web 13 whose lower wall is upwardly curvedor concave. The rear end oi this vertical web 13 terminates in atransversely extending abutment 14: a-pertured, as at 15, and the endsof the abutment are connected to the barrel by means of vertical flanges16. The forward at 17. Extending upward from thetorward end of thebarrel'is a bracket 18 which, at its upper end is angularly extended forward, as at 19, and formed with a nut receiving bore 20, this nutreceiving bore being internally screw-threaded. The wall of the bore 20is split and this split is defined by the two ears 21 which areapertured for the passage of a bolt 22.

The lower end oi the casting A is extended forward to provide asupporting arm 23 and this supporting arm is formed with a doi-vnwardlyconical socket 2 1 The portion 19 is IT-shaped in cross section asillustrated in Figure 3, to provide a transversely extending abutmentportion 25 whose upper face is inclined downward and rearward, as shownin Figure 1. The web 18 is con nected with the side walls 01 the barrelby means of a transverse web 26. A bolt 27 passes through the cars 12,this bolt acting to clamp the barrel onto a cultivator beam Q, as shownin Figure 3.

The second main section or member of the attachment comprises a casting,designated generally B, as before stated. This casting is so formed asto provide two longitudinally extending arms 28, these arms being connected at their forward ends by a transverse bar 29 so that the arms,together with this bar, constitute a yoke. The forward ends of the armsare slightly inclined downward but extend approximately in a horizontalplane, but towards the rear thevarms extend downward and rearward andslightly forward, as at 30, terminating in eyes 31 which are adapted tobe disposed on each side of the abutment 14. The two arms 28 areconnected by a transverse cross bar 32 which end of the barrel istransversely slotted, 5

is screw-threaded for the passage of an adjusting screw 33, which at itslower end bears against the abutment or cross bar 25 so that by turningthis screw 33 inward, the arms may be raised relative to the casting A,the arms pivoting upon the bolt 34: which passes through the eyes 31 andthrough the aperture 15 formed in the abutment l t. The arms 28 extendforward considerably beyond the eye 18 and on each side of thescrewthreaded bore 20, and, as before remarked. the forward ends of thearms are connected by a transverse cross bar 29 which is slightly curvedor bowed forwardly, the inner face of this cross bar being formed with aplurality of notches 35, as seen in Figure 3.

Also coacting with the members or sections A and B is an approximatelyU-shaped brace, which consists of two rearwardly divergent, forwardlyconnected arms 36 and 37. The arm 36 is longer than the arm 3'7 and atits rear end terminates in a head 38 which is formed with asemi-circular seat or recess 39 adapted to receive the head 40 of a bolt41, which in turn is adapted to pass around one of the frame ars of thechine. The arm 37 is divergently extended with relation to the arm 36and at its end is formed with a rectangular head 42 having a centralaperture 4-3 for the passage of a bolt. The middle of this ll-shapedbrace 37 is formed with an outwardly extending portion l i having aplurality of notches a which extend in a fore and aft series, andadapted to engage with these notches is the angularly bent end 46 of acoiled contractile spring 47, the other end of this spring beingrearwardly extended and formed with an angularly extended end 48 whichis adapted to engage in any one of the notches In Figure 1, l have shownso much of a cultivator as is necessary to illustrate my device, and itwill be seen that the cultivator which I have shown is of that typewherein the beams are connected to the arched axle of the cultivator bymeans which will permit the beam to swing vertically or horizontally,the beams carrying handles whereby the beams may be manipulated andshifted nearer to or further from each other. I have illustrated awalking cultivator, but it will be understood that my device might beapplied to a riding cultivator and to a the form of cultivator for whichI have particularly designed this attachment, and l have illustratedsuch beams, though I do not wish to be limited thereto.

The means for raising or lowering the cultivator bean'ls, adjusting thecultivator shovels, and the particular mounting of the tongue K form nopart of my invention and, therefore, I have not attempted to illustratethese parts in detail. The beam C, as shown in Figure 2. is disposedwithin the barrel and is held in place by being clamped within thebarrel by means of the clamp bolt 27 passing through the ears 12, and isalso held in place 'by the bolt passing through the slots 17. ft will beunderstood that the beam C may be rotated axially within the barrel intoany desired adjusted position and either toward the right or toward theleft. The casting A, it will be seen, is to a certain extent like theknuckle which is used to swivelly connect the beams to the arched axleof the ordinary cult'vator of this type. To this end, a spindle L isdisposed between a nut M mounted in the opening and the lower end of thespindle being somewhat conical in form and seated within the socket Theupper end of the spindle is formed with a central pin Z which extendsthrough the center of the nut M so that the nut, when turned down, willbear against the upper end of the spindle. Loosely surrounding thespindle and rotatable thereon is a sleeve or collar N having a forwardlyextending arm n, this arm terminating in a sleeve G which is at apted tofit around and rotate upon the portion F of the axle. So as I havedescribed, the element A is very much the same as the kindred elementfound in cultivators of this type, except that the element A as l havedescribed it is provided 'with a cross bar or abutment against which thescrew 33 bears, for a purpose as will be later stated.

It will be seen that the element B, which is particularly the novelelement of the attachment which I have produced, is pivotally mountedupon the element A below the line of draft for the beam and that itarches up so that the forward end of the yoke of element A. is above theline of draft. it is to be particularly noted that the point of pivotalconnection of the yoke B to the element A is, as before remarked, belowthe line of draft and on a level below the pivotal point for the beam Cand that the point connection, as shown in Figure 2, of the spring 47with the yoke is such that the pull of the spring ll is upward on thelower end of the yoke and that this being below the line of draft, thepull on the beam C is downward and thus the gang will be pulled into theearth, while the set screw of the yoke or lever B will regulate thedepth of cultivation, and the action ofthis set screw 33 is to depressor raise the forward end of the yoke 13, thus regulating the downwardpull on the beam C and thus in a way either forcing the beam C upward orpermitting it to move dmvnward. It is further to be noted that a lineconnecting the brace 29 at the forward end and the pivot at the rear endof the yoke B is at a very acute angle to the direction of the beam C,the rear end of the yoke being pivoted at ti l four or live inches belowthe horizontal center of the beam 0. This makes such a balance of theparts that the beam can be operated with perfect ease and the gangs willrun along where the row is straight any depth at which it is desired tocultivate.

lVith my construction, when it is desired to change the tension of thespring l7, it can be changed to any extent by simply raising the rearend of each beam to an upright position, which is assisted, after oncethe line between the rear end or the spring l-7 and the pivot 34. haspassed above the axle H, by the spring 47. then readjust the "forwardend of the spring in any one of the seats 45, thus increasing ordecreasing the tension of the spring and then lowering the beam again toits working position. With my construction, in actual practice just sixseconds are requiredto adjust the tension of the spring.Furthermorawvith my construction the beams can be raised to an uprightposition and the operator thus has plenty of room to change the bladesor remove the blades for resharpening. He can stand while removing theblades J or adjusting them and be in the best possible position for workand without any necessity of kneeling down on the ground or steepingover in order to remove the blades.

The forward end of the V-SllELPGCl brace is disposed about on a levelwith the uppermost portion of the yoke B and the spring, therefore,exerts an upward and forward tension upon this yoke 13. Inasmuch as thebrace D is bolted rigidly to the two parts of the frame, it follows thatthe spring 47 will draw the yoke 13 slightly upward and that the furtheralong the hook 46 of the spring is adjusted in the recesses a5, thegreater will be the tension on the spring. Furthermore, as shown inFigure 1, assumthat the attachment is disposed, for instance. on theright hand side of the cultivatcr, it will be obvious that the spring beadjusted to one of the notches 35 in the extreme left hand side of theyoke 28, the spring will tend to pull the plow beam inward, or in otherwords will guide the gang or beam to the row, whereas if the hook 48 ibe engaged with the recess 35 on the extreme right hand side of the yoke28, it will be obvious that the gang or beam will be guided other hand,is disposed parallel to the line of draft, it will be obvious that theplow will be guided straight.

It will be seen that this device will set the gang or beam so as to makeitvery easy on the operator to guide the plow. It will relieve tiredarms and shoulders and other fatigue caused from holding the gang orbeam, and the gang or beam will run and guide with ease with thisattachment and not tire the operator. The notches l5 permit the tensionof thespring to be taken up from time to time, with the greatest tensionfor large or heavy gangs or beams and less tension for light or mediumgangs or beams. Thus when changing from a heavy to a light gang, it isan easy matter to simply change the tension on the spring. andfurthermore when changing from cultivator plows to mere scratchers, thescratcher being lighter requires tension on the spring and, of course,the tension is released by setting the hook to in the rearmost notch.If'it be desired to pull the scratcher into the ground, then bymanipulating the adjusting screw 33 and adjusting the spring in thenotches and the gang or beam may be made to stay in the ground or pulledinto the groundtor any depth desired.

The adjusting screw 1 is for regulating the depth of plowing and by thismeans: the attachment may be set to cause either deep or shallowplowing. Thus when the screw is turned downward, it will tend to raisethe rear end of the plow beam, the plow swinging on the pivot formed bythe collar. Of course, this depression of the screw 83 tends to move theyoke partly upward. The spring 47, however, does not resist this upwardmovement. Whenever the screw 83 has been turned so as to cause the beamto pass tne center line or normal line of draft, the plow will be pulledinto the ground and, on the other hand, when raising the plow out of theground the tension of the spring 47 will act to assist in lifting theplow, after the pivot 34 has passed the center upon which the member Aoperates, and help to put it in the rack, that is in suspended position.It will be understood that by cl'ianging slightly the proportions andform of the ii-shaped brace formed of the parts 36 and 37 and changingthe cross section of the barrel 10, this device can be used on any typeof cultivator as well as on the particular type which is illustrated inthe drawings.

I claim 1. The combination with a cultivator having a trance and a beammounted upon said frame -for pivotal movement in a vertical plane andpivotal movement in a horizontal plane, of a yoke operatively pivoted tothe beam rearward of the pivotal axes of the beam for both vertical andhorizontal movement and below the pivotal axis for vertical movement,the yoke extending upward and over the beam and bearing upon the samerearward of both the pivotal axes and then extending forward in advanceof both pivotal axes, and a spring operatively connected at its forwardend to the frame of the machine and at its rear end connected to saidyoke, the spring exerting tension on a line below the axis of verticalmovement for said beam to thereby urge the rear end of the beam downwardand yieldingly resisting oscillation of the beam and of the yoke uponthe horizontal axis of the beam.

2. The combination with a cultivator having an axle and wheels mountedthereon, of a beam operatively connected to the axle on a horizontalaxis for swinging movement in a vertical plane, a yoke pivotallyconnected at its rear end to the beam at a point on a level below thehorizontal axis on which the beam swings vertically, said yoke midway ofits ends bearing upon the beam, a spring operatively supported by theaxle in advance of said yoke, said spring at its rear end havingengagement with the forward end of the yoke and exerting tension on aline extending between the forward and rear ends of the yoke and belowthe said pivotal axis of the beam whereby said spring acts to yieldinglydepress the beam.

3. The combination with a cultivator having an arched axle and wheelssupporting said axle, a tongue attached thereto and a beam extendingrearward from the axle, of a member mounted upon the forward end of thebeam and operatively connected to said axle for swinging movement inhorizontal and vertical planes, an arched yoke pivotally connected atits'rear end to said member at a point below the pivotal axis of thebeam for vertical movement and embracing said member and extendingupward and forward beyond the pivotal centers of the same andoperatively bearing against the beam, means mounted on the yoke foradjustably bearing against the upper face of said member, and a tensionspring operatively supported upon the frame of the machine and engagingthe forward end of the yoke and yieldingly holding the forward end ofthe yoke in a predetermined position, the forward and rear ends of theyoke being disposed on a line extending below the axis on which the beamswings vertically whereby to cause the spring to exert a downwardpressure on the rear end of the beam.

4. The combination with a. cultivator having an arched axle, wheelssupporting sa d axle, a tongue attached thereto and a beam extendingrearward from the axle, of a member mounted upon the forward end of thebeam and operatively connected to said axle for swinging movement inhorizontal and vertical planes, an arched yoke pivotally connected atits rear end to said member at a point below the level of the pivotalaxis of the beam on which it swings for vertical movement, said yokeembracing the member and extending upward and forward beyond said lastnamed pivotal center of the memher, means mounted on the yoke foradjustably bearing against the upper face of said member, a tensionspring operatively sup ported upon the frame of the cultivator and.engaging the forward end of the yoke and yieldingly holding the forwardend of this yoke in a predetermined position and against lateralmovement, the yoke including a transversely extending bar at its forwardend and the spring being engageable at any one of a plurality of pointsalong said bar to thereby exert tension on the yoke and urge the beam ina plurality of positions relative to the line of draft, the ends of theyoke being disposed on a line below that pivotal axis of the beam uponwhich the beam swings in its vertical movement.

The combination with a cultivator having a frame, an arched axle, wheelssupporting said axle and a tongue operatively connected to the frame, abeam extending rearward from the axle, of a member mounted upon theforward end of the beam and operati ely pivoted to the axle for swingingmovement in a horizontal and a vertical plane, an arched yoke pivotallyconnected at its rear end to said member at a point below and rearwardof the axis upon which said member and beam swing in a vertical plane,said yoke embracing the member and extending upward and forward beyondsaid last named pivotal axis thereof, means mounted on the yoke foradjustably bearing against the upper face of said member, a braceoperatively bearing against and con-- nected to the axle and extendingforward therefrom, and a tension spring operatively connected at itsforward end to said brace and at its rear end engaged with the forwardend of the yoke, the forward and rear ends of the yoke being disposed ona line passing below that axis of the member upon which the member andbeam vertically swing.

6. The combination with a cultivator hav ing an arch including amedially disposed vertical portion and a horizontal portion outward ofthe vertical portion, a wheel carried by said horizontal portion, thecultivator having a beam engaging the arch outward of the verticalportion for pivotal movement in a horizontal and vertical plane, of ayoke operatively pivoted to the beam rearward of and below thehorizontal pivotal axis of the beam, the yoke extending over and bearingupon the beam and extending forward beyond the horizontal pivotal axisof the beam, the forward and rear ends of the yoke being disposed in aplane ill) extending below the said pivotal axis of the beam, anapproximately V-shaped brace projecting forwardly from the arch andengaging the latter for adjustment in a vertical plane, and a springhaving its forward end engaged with said brace and its rear end en gagedwith the forward end of the yoke, said spring normally exerting tensionupon the yoke on a line below the said pivotal axis of the beam.

7. The combination with a cultivator havinga frame including a mediallydisposed vertical portion and a horizontal portion outward of thevertical portion, a wheel carried upon the horizontal portion of theframe, a beam engaging the arch outward of the vertical portion forpivotal movement in a horizontal and a vertical plane, of a yokeoperatively pivoted to the beam rearward of and below the horizontalpivotal axis of the beam, the yoke extending over and bearing upon thebeam and extending forward beyond the said pivotal axis of the beam, aspring havingits rear end connected to the forward end of the yoke andnormally exerting tension upon the yoke on a line below the said pivotalaxis of the beam, and means for supporting the forward end of the springupon the frame of the cultivator, said means being verticallyadjustable.

8. The combination with a cultivator having an arched axle and wheelssupporting said axle, of a beam operatively connected to the axle forswinging movement in a vertical and a horizontal plane, a two-armed yokeembracing the forward end of the beam and extending downward below thesame and pivotally connected at its lower end operatively to the beam ona level below the horizontal pivotal axis of the beam, means acting toyieldingly draw the forward end of the yoke forward, the forward andrear ends of the yoke being disposed on a line below the horizontalpivotal axis of the beam and an adjusting screw passing through the yokeand operatively bearing against the beam rearward of the pivot for itsvertical swinging movement.

9. The combination with a cultivator having an arched axle and wheelssupporting said axle, of a beam operatively connected to the axle forswinging movement in a vertical and a horizontal plane, a two-armed yokeembracing the forward end of the beam and extending downward below thesame and pivotally connected at its lower end operatively to the beam ata point below the level of the horizontal pivotal axis for the beam, aV-shaped brace attached to the arched axle of the cultivator andprojecting forward therefrom, and a coiled contractile spring engagedwith the forward end of said brace and at its rear end engaged with saidyoke, there being means whereby the tension. of the spring may beadjusted, the forward and rear ends of the yoke being disposed on a linebelow the horizontal pivotal axis of the beam.

In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my signature.

JEWEL C. BLACK.

